82 TWO YEAES IN THE JUNGLE. 



swellings, and rheumatism, and also some diseases of the skin ; the 

 bark is sometimes used as a substitute for quinine, and also as a 

 tonic ; a dye is manufactured from the fruit, and the seeds are 

 used as an insect poison ; the root is used as a vermifuge, and a 

 gum exudes from the bark. Its wood is very bitter and is never 

 attacked by white ants. 



Here and there are seen solitary trees of large size, most of 

 which have been planted by past generations in certain sacred spots 

 or near villages, so that the inhabitants can sit in their grateful 

 shade and discuss parish matters. There are four large trees be- 

 longing to this class, which figure conspicuously in the landscapes 

 of Northern India. They are the sacred fig-tree, or " peepul " 

 {Ficus religiosa), the banyan, Hindoo "burgud" (Ficus Indica), 

 the tamarind, "imli" [Tamarindus Indica), and the "goolur," which 

 latter is used to bottom wells that have walls of masonry. 



From Agra I started for Calcutta, and the Neilgherry HLlls in 

 Southern India, having spent eight very busy and profitable weeks 

 in the North-West Provinces. 



